Gear shifting mechanism



Mara. 17,1936. E. G. KESLING 2,034,400

GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM Filed'Aug. 7, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet as. KESLING I GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISI Filed Aug. 7, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g; 4);: l7 0x11762291 Patented Mar. 17, 193

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,034,400 GEAR. SHIFTING MECHANISM Elmer G. Keeling, Bloomfield, Mo. Application August 7, 1933, Serial No. 683,977 '30 Claims. (01.74-335) This invention relates to gear shifting mechanism, and has special utility as a part of the transmission gearing of automobiles and other vehicles.

Objects of the invention are to provide a gear shifting mechanism having manual means for imparting the initial movements thereto in shifting operations, and means for utilizing the operation of the engine or motor to impart the final movements to the shifting operations without the application of additional manual. force to effect such final shifting movements; to provide a cone struction whereby the energy or force of the engine or motor will continue to operate or function without interruption until the shifting operation has proceeded to a predetermined extent; to provide a construction and arrangement whereby a complete shifting may be manually performed if, desired; and to provide means under control of one of the shiftable elements of the shifting mechanism for positively holding other elements of the shifting mechanism in their unoperated positions while the operating parts of the shifting mechanism are operated to perform their intended functions, and to hold the latter in their operated positions.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the gear case and a part of the shifting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view at right angles to the section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a verticallongitudinal section approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. -1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing parts of the devices for utilizing the power or energy of the engine or motor to complete the final shifting movements. 1

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. i

Fig. 6 is a sectional view approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view approximately on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the device operated by the clutch pedal for controlling operation of the gear 4 to reverse position, and is shiftable laterally in the opposite direction from said starting position to shift the gear 4 to forward low speed position.

The shifter fork 5 is supported by the spindle 5 6 for lateral shifting movements from a starting position, and is cooperatively engaged with a laterally shiftable device (not shown) for intermediate and high speed.

The hub of the fork i is rigid with a rack I in permanent mesh with a. segmental rack 8 rigid with a hub 9 mounted on a spindle 10 supported for longitudinal and turning movements; while the hub of the fork 5 is rigid with a rack I l in permanent mesh with a segmental rack I2 rigid with a hub is which is also supported by the spindle ii! at one end of the hub 9. The hub 9 is mounted in a bearing i4 permitting turning movements of said hub and preventing lo'ngitudinal movementsin one direction. One end of the hub i3 engages the end of the hub 9 opposite from the bearing iii, and the opposite end of said hub it is engaged by a strap I5. Thus the parts i i and i5 prevent longitudinal movements of the hubs 3 and iii and permit free turning movements of said hubs.

A number of longitudinal grooves 56 are formed on the inside of the hub 53, and a number of similar longitudinal grooves H are formed on the inside of the hub l3. These grooveslfi and I1 receive key elements i8 partially embedded in the spindle iii. In its starting position, the spindle it supports the key elements i8 engaged in both the grooves i6 and H, but is shiftable longitudinally in either direction from said starting position to disengage the key elements from the grooves il while supporting them engaged in the grooves H5, or to disengage said key elements from the grooves i6 and engage them only in the grooves i1. When the key elements i8 are engaged in the grooves 16 only, the spindle l0 may be turned in either direction and will thereby turn therack 8 and shift the fork l according to the direction of turning of the spindle III to move the gear 4 to 4 reverse position or to low speed position. During this turning movement of the spindle Hi, the rack i2 is locked against operation, thereby positively holding the fork b unoperated. When the key (not shown) to either position to which it is shiftable by said fork. During this turning move- .ment of the spindle III, the rack 8 is locked against operation, thereby positively holding the fork A rod I9 is supported tached to said rod. |9 for longitudinal movement withsaid rod. The arm 20. is held from turning by a guide'2l connected withsaid arm and extending into a hole 22 in an adjacent-part of the housing. The arm 20 is formed with a rigid finger 23 movable into and out of a notch 24 in an adjacent part of the rack 8, and is formed with another rigid finger 25 movable into and out of a notch 26 in an adjacent part of the rack In the starting position of the rod l9, the fingers 23 and 25 are engaged in-the notches 24 and-26, respectively. The rod I9 is shiftable longitudinally in one direction from said starting position to disengage the finger 23 from the notch 24 and thereby permit the rack 8 to be turned while the rack I2 is positively held in its unoperated position. And the rod I9 is shiftable longitudinally in the opposite direction 'fromsaid starting position to disengage the finger. 25 from the notch 26 and thereby permit the rack |2 to be turned while the rack 8 is positively held in its unoperated position.

It is obvious that only one of the said racks 8 or l2 can be turned at any one time, and that when either one of the said racks 8 or I2 is turned from the starting position in either direction the rod |9 is held against longitudinal movement by the finger 23 or the finger 25 abutting against the adjacent side of rack 8 or H asthe case may be.

A shaft 21 B rigid with'a series of longitudinal teeth 28 extending parallel with the axis of said shaft and with a series of teeth 29 extending for a part of the distance around the periphery of the shaft 21. The shaft 21 is supported for both longitudinal and turning movements, and the portion of said shaft on which the teeth 26 and 29 are formed is mounted in a guide 36, permitting said longitudinal and turning movements. The teeth 28 are in constant mesh with a rack 3| supported by the rod I9 for longitudinal movements with said rod and held from moving longitudinally relative to said rod by a shoulder 32 and a sleeve 33. Thus. turning movements of the shaft 21 will move therod l9 longitudinally in one direction or the other from the starting position of said rod, depending upon the direction, in which the shaft'21 is turned, and will thereby shift the fingers 23 and 25 in the manner described. Obviously, return turning movement of the shaft 21 to its starting position will shift. the rod I9 and thereby the fingers 23 and 25mtheir starting or unoperated positions.

The teeth 29 are in constant mesh with an arcuate rack 34' attached to the spindle I8. Clearly, longitudinal movements of the shaft 21 in. either direction from its starting position will impart a turning movement to the-spindle H) in one direction or the other from its starting position, depending upon the direction in which the shaft 21 is moved. Longitudinal movement of the shaft 21 will not operate the rod l9 nor the lingers 23 and 25, nor will turning movements of said shaft 21 operate the rack 34.

The spindle. I is moved longitudinally by the rod I951 disc 35 rigid on the spindle ||l engages in a notch 36 (Figs. land 4) in the hub of the rack 3|. Therefore, longitudinal movement of the rod |9 in either direction from its starting or unoperated position will move the spindle III longitudinally in the same direction; and movement of the spindle ill will move the key elements l8 into and out of engagement with the respective hubs v9 and I3, depending upon the direction in which the spindle I0 is moved from its starting or unoperated position.

An. arcuate rack 31 rigid with the spindle I0 is in permanent mesh with an elongated rack 38 formed on or rigid with a longitudinally movable connecting rod 39 having its opposite ends attached to pistons 40 and 4|, respectively, and its intermediate portion supported and guided by a bearing 42. The rack 31 will not be disengaged from the rack 38 when the spindle III is moved longitudinally, but the spindle It may be moved longitudinally without disturbing or operating the rack 38 or the pistons 40 and 4|. However, turning movements of the spindle It in either direction from its starting or unoperated position will move the rod 39, and thereby the pistons 40 and 4|, in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction in which the spindle I0 is turned. Further, operation of either of the pistons 40 or 4| by the power of the motor or engine will turn the spindle III in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction of operation of said pistons.

The pistons 40 and 4| are. opiative in cylinders 43 and 44, respectively, each having an air inlet port 45 and a suction or air withdrawal port 46. Each of the cylinders 43'and 44 is equipped with valve mechanism controlling the ports 45 and 46 and co-ordinated with the-remainder of the invention in order to cause the engine or motor to impart the final'movements to the shifting mechanism after the initial movements ing 48 and the sleeve 49 and communicates with a suction tube 52 connected up with the engine or motor (not shown) in such a way that, when the engine or motor is operating, a suction is created through the tube 52 and, when the port is open, to the inside of the communicating cylinder 43 or 44. When the port 5| communicating with either. cylinder is open, the corresponding port communicating with the other cylinder is closed, so that there is a suction withdrawal of air from only one of said cylinders at any one time. And, when either port 5| is open, the corresponding port 41 is closed, while the port 41 communicating with the other cylinder remains open, thus permitting proper operation of either of the pistons 40 or 4| by the suction created by the engine or motor.

Each valve body. so isformed with a circumferential groove 53 which, in the unoperated operated position'by a'spring' 54 acting against one end of the valve, while the opposite end of the valve seats against the yielding abutment shown as, a spring 55. The spring 55 seats against an abutment 86 held stationary in the ,valve housing by a member 51. g

A rod comprising a reduced portion 58 extending for sliding movements through the abutment 58 and through the valve 50,, and an enlarged portion 59 supported in a bearing 68, has a'jiongitudinal slot 6| in said reduced portion. A

pawl comprising .'a head 82 and a tail 83 is supported in the slot 6| by a pivot pin 84, and is actuated by a spring 65 to hold the head 82 in yieldable engagement with the end of the valve 58. The tail 68 of this pawl operates against the inner end of the member 51 in such a way that the rod- 58-59 may be moved longitudinally into the valve housing 48 for a certain distance -before the head 62 of the pawl will be released from the valve '50. This inward movement of the rod 58-59 will move the valve 58 inwardly a sufllcient distance toclose the port 41,? and to spring 54 will immediately move said valve to its initial or unoperated position in which the port 41 is open and the port 5| is closed, and

the head 82 will again engage the valve 50. r

A spring 68 has its inner end engaging theabutment 58 and its opposite end engaging the end of a circumferential shoulder 81 at the union of the parts 58 and 59, thus utilizing the power and energy of said spring to move the longitudinally movable rod outwardly to a position in which the shoulder 61 engages the end of the bearing 50. In .these longitudinal movements of the rod, the pawltail 63 operates in a slot 68 in the abutment 56 and prevents the rod from turning.

The tube 52 opens through a valve casing 89 (Fig. '8) supporting a longitudinally movable valve 18 having acircumferential groove 1| adapted to be brought into and out of registration with the passage 12 through the valve casing. A link 18 has one end connected with the valve 18 and the opposite end connected with the clutch pedal 14 so that, when the clutch pedal is operated toward the left (Fig. 8), the valve groove II will be brought into registration with the passage 12 and permit the suction of the engine or motor to operate through the tube 52, port 5| and port 46 to withdraw air from one or the other of the cylinders or 44.

One 'of the rod ends 59 supports a roller 15 and the other rod end 59 supports a roller 18.

Attached to the spindle III are a reverse cam 11, a low speed-cam 18, an intermediate speed.-

cam 19 and a high speed cam 88. In the unoperated position of the spindle Ill, these cams are out of effective engagement with the rollers 15 and 15, leaving the rods 58-59 in their outwardly extended positions in which the ports 5| are closed by the valves ,58 while theports 41 are open.

In operating .the shifting mechanism for reverse, the shaft 21 is turned in a direction of reverse and-low speed selection to move the rod l9 (Fig; 1) to a position in which the finger 23 is disengaged from the notch 24 andin which the finger 25 is engaged in the notch 215. This releases the rack 8 and locks the rack l2 against operation. This longitudinal shifting movement of the rod l9. also moves the spindle l8 longitudinally, bringing the reverse cam 11 into cooperative relation with the roller 16. This longiflnger 25 from the notch 26,

' 3 tudinal movement of the spindle I also moves the key elements l8 from engagement in the grooves 11 into engagement with the. grooves 18 only, so that when the spindle I8 is turned, a turning movement will be imparted to the rack 9 anda shifting movement to the fork l. A tuming movement is imparted to the spindle III by moving the shaft 21 longitudinally in an outward direction (Fig. 2), causing the reverse cam 11,

by operation against the roller 18, to move the rod 58-59 longitudinally into the valve housing 48. This inward'movement of the rod causes the pawl head 62 to move the valve 50 to a position in which the port 41 is closed and the port 51 is open, thus permitting the suction of the engine or motor to operate through the tube 52 and ports 5| and 46 into the cylinder 43, it being understoodthat the clutch pedal 14 had been operated preparatory to the shifting. operation.

Near the end of the turning movement of the reverse cam 11, the high point 8|, which is common to all of the cams 11, 18, 19 and 80,- is operated against the roller 16, thereby moving the rod 58-59 far enough to disengage the pawl head 82 from the valve 50 'by operation of the pawl tail 88 against the member 51. When this occurs, the spring 54 operates immediatelyto move the valve 58 to the position shown in Fig. .7 of;

the drawings, in which the air-inlet port 41 is open and the suction port 51 is closed.

In order to shift into low speed, the shaft 21 is moved longitudinally in the opposite direction from that in which said shaft was moved in making the reverse shift, and this turns the spindle I in the opposite direction, causing the low speed cam 18 to operate against the roller 15 and thereby operate: the valve mechanism controlling the cylinder 44 in order to close the air inlet port 41 to said cylinder and to open the suction port 5|, permitting the suction of the engine to cause operation of the piston device 4| to impart a further and final turning movementto the spindle I0 and thereby impart the final shifting movement to the fork l. The final turning movement of the spindle I 8 causes the high cam point 8| to operate the rod 58-59 far enough to effect release of the pawl head 62 from the valve 50,- whereupon the spring 54 immediately operates the valve 58' to open the port 41 and close the port 5|.

tion of intermediate and high speed selection to move the rod 19 longitudinally to disengage the thereby releasing the rack l2 while the finger 28 locks the rack 8. The longitudinal movement of the rod 19 also moves the spindle l0 lo'ngitudin'ally and disengages the key elements l8' from the grooves l8 and engages said key elements in'the grooves l1 only. Then the shaft 21 is moved longitudinally and the spindle I0 is turned thereby, thus imparting an initial lateral shifting movement to the fork 5 and an initial turning movement to the intermediate cam 19, causing said cam 19 quickly to move the cooperatively related rod 58-59 longitudinally into the valve housing 48.

This longitudinal movement of the rod 58-59 moved a further distance suflicient to cause the pawl tall 63, by operating against the member 51,

to disengage the pawl head 62from the valve 50.

The spring .54 then immediately moves the-valve 50 to open the air inlet port 41 to the cylinder 43 and to close the suction port 5| opening from said cylinder 4L;

In shifting to high speed position, the high speed cam 80 is brought into cooperative relation to the roller 15, the finger .23 being en-- gaged in the notch 24, thereby locking the rack 8,

while the finger 25 is disengaged from the notch 26, thus permitting operation of the rack l2. Longitudinal movement of the shaft 21 in the opposite direction from the direction in which said shaft 21 was moved to impart effective movement to the cam 19 causes the cam 80 to operate against the roller 15 and thereby move the rod 58-59 longitudinally into thevalve'housing 48 to operate the valve 50 to position to close the air inlet port 41 and open the suction port 5|, permitting the suction of the engine to operate the piston ll and thereby impart final movements to the shifting mechanism including the spindle l and the fork 5. During the final movement of the cam 80, the high point 8| moves the rod 58-59 inwardly far enough to effect release ofthe pawl head 62 from the valve 50 by operation of the pawl tall 63 against the member 51 in the manner heretofore described. Thereupon, the spring 54 immediately moves the valve 50 to position to open the air inlet port 1 and to close the suction port v :During each'ofthese shifting operations, it is understood that the valve is open, so that there gear shifterelements and I, believe such com-.

binations and operations are broadly new.

, It must nowtbe apparent that the shaft 21 can- 'not be turned nor the rod 19 moved longitudinally for a selecting operation when the notches 24 and 28 are disalined, or rather when it is impossible for said fingers 23 and 25 to enter said notches 24 and 26 respectively; andthat it is impossible to move the shaft 21 longitudinally to. turn the spindle III in a gear shifting operation until the full selection has been madeby turning the shaft 21 to make a selection in the manner herein described. As a necessary consequence, the

locking of either of the gears 8 or l 2 locks the corresponding fork l or 5 against any shifting plicated features characteristic of some gear shifting mechanisms. rangement and combination of elements of the The construction, ar-

device may be varied as widely as the scope of equlvalents'will permit, without departure from the nature'and principle of: the invention, and I contemplate such variations as may be desirable or permissible. v I claim:

1. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising gitudinal and turning movements, 7

operative in one direction to move said spindle 0 a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, a rod supported for longitudinal movements only, shifting devicesoperative by turning movements of said. spindle after said spindle has been moved lon- 5 gitudinally, means for" preventing turning of said spindle until after said rod has been'moved longitudinally, and a shaft supported for turning and longitudinal movements and operatively connected with said rod to move said rod longi- 10 tudinally when said shaft is turned and operatively connected to said spindle to turn said spindie-when said shaft is moved longitudinally.

2. Gear shifting mechanismof the characacter described comprising a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, a rod supported for longitudinal movements only, devices controlled bysaid rod for preventing the turning of said spindle until said rod has been moved longitudinally, and mechanism having 01) erative connection with said rod and said spindle 'for moving said rod and said spindle longitudinally simultaneously and thereafter turning spindle. r

' 3. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for iongitudinal and turning movements, mechanism supported for longitudinal movements only for moving said spindle longitudinally and controlling subsequent turning of said spindle, and mechanism for operating said first named-mechanism to move said spindle longitudinally andthereafter to turn said spindle. i

.4. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for lon- 5 gitudinal .and turning movements, mechanism supported for longitudinal movements only for moving said' spindlelongitudinally and controllingv subsequent turning of said spindle, means limiting extent of longitudinal movement of said 40 mechanismand thereby said spindle, mechanism for operating said first named mechanism to move said spindle longitudinally and thereafter. impart an initial turning movement to said spindle, and other'mechanism for thereafter imparting final turning movement to said spindle.-

5. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle mounted for lonmechanism longitudinally and thereafter operative in another direction to impart a turning movement to said spindle, means for preventing operation of said mechanism to turn said spindle until after said spindle has been moved longitudinally, and

means other than said mechanism for imparting final turning movement to said spindle after said mechanism has imparted a turning movement to said spindle.

6. Gear shifting mechanism of the described comprising a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, a rod support ed for longitudinal movements only, means for preventing turning movements ofsaid rod, devices controlled by said rod for preventing the turning of said spindle until said rod has been moved longitudinally, mechanism having operative connection .with said rod and said spindle for moving said rod and thereby said spindle longitudinally simultaneously, and means operative by said mechanism for turning said spindle after said spindle has been moved longitudinally as aforesaid.

7. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for character- 60 I longitudinal and turning movements, a shaft supported for longitudinal and turning movements, devices controlled by said shaft for preventing the turning of said spindle until said shaft has been turned, gearing operated by said shaft for imparting an initial turning movement to said spindle by longitudinal movement of said shaft, and mechanism other than said shaft for imparting final turning movement to said spindle after said spindle has been initially turned by said shaft as aforesaid.

8. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, a shaft supported forlongitudinal and turning movements, devices controlled by said shaft for preventing the turning of said spindle until aftersaid shaft has been turned, gearing operated by said shaft for imparting an initial turning movement to said'spindle by longitudinal movement of said shaft, mechanism other than said shaft for imparting final turning movement to said spindle after said spindle has been initially turned by said shaft as aforesaid, and devices controlled by said spindle timing the operation of said last named mechanism.

' 9. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for longitudinal turning movements, mechanism supported for longitudinal movements only for moving said spindle longitudinally and controlling subsequent turning of said spindle, gearing op-" erated by said mechanism for imparting an initial turning movement to said spindle after said spindle hasbeen moved longitudinally as aforesaid, and additional mechanism for imparting final turning. movement to said spindle after said initial turning movement has been performed.

10, Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a spindle supported for longitudinal turning movements, mechanism supported for longitudinal movements only for moving said spindle longitudinally and controlling subsequent turning of said spindle, gearing operated'by said mechanism for imparting an initial turning movement to said spindle after said spindle has been moved longitudinally as Mom-- said, additional mechanism for imparting final turning, movement to said spindle after said initial turning movement has been. performed, and devices controlled by said spindle timing the operation of said additional mechanism to impart'saidmnal turning movementto said spindle.

11. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a shaft supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gear shifter elements, a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gearing operative by tuming movements of said spindle to move said gear shifter'elements selectively, mechanism for moving said spindle longitudinally to selective gear shifting positions, gearing operative by said mechanism to turn saidspindle initially, and additional mechanism for imparting finalturning movements to said spindle to complete final movement of said shifter elements. I

12. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described-comprising a shaft supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gear shifter elements, a spindle supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gearing operative by turning movements of said spindle to move said gear shifter elements selectively, mechanism for 'moving said spindle longitudinally to selective' gear shifting position gearing operative by said been made.

controlled by said spindle timing the operation of said additional mechanism.

13. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a shaft supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gear shifter elements, gearing for operating said gear shifter elements, manual mechanism for imparting an I initial movement to said gearing to impart a par- 'tial shifting movement to saidgear shifter elements, and additional mechanism for imparting final movement to said gearing after said initial movements have been imparted by said manual mechanism in order to complete final movement of said shifter elements.

14.. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising a shaft supported for longitudinal and turning movements, gear shifter elements, gearing for operating said gear shifter elements, manual mechanism for imparting an initial movement to said gearing to impart a partial shifting movement to said gear shifter elements, additional mechanism for imparting final movement to, said gearing after said initial movements have been imparted by said manual mechanism in order to complete final movement P? of said shifter elements, and means controlled by said gearing timing and controlling the operation of said additional mechanism and preventing operation, of said additional mechanism until after said initial movement of said gearing has 15. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising shifter'elements mounted for lateral shifting movements, manual mechani'sm operative to move said shifter elements selectively for an initial portion of their shifting movements, suction mechanism cooperating with said manual mechanism. to impart final shifting movements to said shifter elements, and means preventing operation of said suction mechanism .until after saidmanual mechanism erated as aforesaid. V 16. Gear-shifting mechanismof the character has been opdescribed comprising laterally movable shifter elements selectively, an actuator, manual means for operating said actuator to operate said. gear their movement, other mechanism for operating said actuator and thereby: said gear devices through their final movements only, and means controlled by said actuator timing the operation of said additional mechanism.

18. Gear shifting mechanism of the character in; said mumto impart mm movements only to said connections. 7

19. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising shifter elements, connedtions for moving said shifter elements respectively, an actuator for operating said connections selectively, manual means for positioning said-actuator for selective operation of said connec- ,tions and for imparting initial movement to said 20. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising shifter elements, connections for moving said shifter elements respectively, anactuator foroperating said connections selectively, manual means for moving said actuator to positions to operate said connections selectively and to impart initial actuating movement tov said actuator and to return said actuator to neutral position after each complete operation I thereof, 'and suction mechanism for operating said actuator to impart final movements to said connections after said initial-'movementsonly have been performed by said manual means as aforesaid.

21. A gear shifting mechanismof the character described comprising gear shifter elements, actuator supported for longitudinal and turning movements, a member supported for longitudinal movements only for moving said actuator longitudinally to selective gear shifting positions, gearing operative by said actuator to move said gear shifter elements selectively, and a shaft supported for'turning movements to operate said member and for longitudinal movements to turn said actuator. Y Y

22. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising gear shifter elements, manual mechanism for selecting and imparting positive shifting movements to said gear shifterelements, and suction mechanism controlled by said manual mechanism for assisting the said manual mechanism in the final operations only of the shifting movements of said gear shifter elements.

23. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising gear shifter elements mounted for selective gear shifting movements, a spindle supported for rocking in either direction after longitudinal movements in opposite directions from an intermediate position, means for shifting said gear shifter elements selectively by rocking saidspindle after said spindle has been moved from intermediate position, manual mechanism for moving said spindle from intermediate position and for rocking said spindle and thereby shifting said gear shifter elements, and additional mechanism for assisting said manual mechanism in the final operations thereof to shift said gear shifter elements.

24. Gear shifting mechanism of the character described comprising gear shifter elements mounted for selective gear shifting movements, avspindle supported for longitudinal movements in opposite directions from an intermediate posiprising selective gear tion, means for shifting said gear shifter elements selectively by said spindle after said spindle has been moved from intermediate position, manual 25. Gear shifting mechanism of the character.

described comprising gear shifter elements, an actuator mounted for selectively moving said shifter elements, suction mechanism connected,

tov said actuator for operating said actuator to move said shifter elements, a valve controlled by said actuator for regulating said suction mechanism,'and other means for initially-contro l n said actuator.

26. Mechanism of the character described commeans operatively connected to said actuator for selecting and moving said actuator toshift said shifterelements. additional mechanism operatively connected to said actuator for'assistlm said operating means in moving said actuator,

and a'valve controlled by said actuator for'regulating said additional mechanism. 2'7. Mechanism of the character described comprising selective gear shifting elements, operatprising shifter elements, an actuator for shifting said shifter elements selectively, operating ing means including anactuator enzm -ble to shift said elements, a power operated device connected to said actuator for moving ,said'actuator to shift the selected element, and power device controlling means connected to said actuator, said actuator operating said power device controlling means.

28. Mechanism of thecharacter described com-' fter elements, operating means including an actuator engageable to shift said elements, vacuumoperated mechanism con- .nected to said actuator for moving said actuator,

and vacuum control means connected to said actuator in a manner to be operated thereby.

29. Mechanism of the character described comprising selective gear shifter elements, an actuator engageable to shift said elements, power 09 operative mechanism including a piston and a control valve, means connecting said piston with said actuator for moving the same, means operatively connecting said actuator with said control valve, and manual means connected with said actuator to initially move said actuator and to return said actuator and associated parts to starting position after having been moved bysaid power mechanism.

Y mama G. misuse.

' prising selective gear shifter elements, an ac- 'tuator engageable to shift saidelements, power 

